Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Truth – Honesty – Are They Tied Around You?

Prayer – Lord, as I look at the parts of the “armor of God” and I realize that You are truth—so I will stand my ground and wrap Your truth around myself…incorporating them into my very spirit.   

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17 (Underlined for emphasis.)

 

Meditate. Consider God’s armor and truth.

 

Have you ever told a lie…an untruth? I’m sure we’ve all told white lies—little fibs when we were children…and stretched the truth to protect someone or ourselves to maintain innocence, prevent an injustice, or ward off punishment.

Just what is “truth?” Jesus told Thomas—as well as the other disciples and everyone who reads the book of John—that He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6). Truth is personal excellence, free from deception, pretense, deceit, or falsehood. That pretty much sums up that quality of Jesus. In Isaiah we read a predictive description of Jesus as the Lamb of God and one who is part of David’s family that is the savior of the world—particularly of the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people.

Everyone will be safe with...
The Lion 


Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment. In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD. Isaiah 11:1-9 (Underlined for emphases.)


        Can you imagine wrapping a belt of truth around yourself? Will it protect you in some way as part of the armor of God? Having Jesus with us—with His very being of truth—is a very comforting and protective thought for me. I’ll put on a belt of truth any day. How about you? Do you choose to include a belt of truth as part of your daily wardrobe?

 

Verse of Salvation ~ In that day the heir to David's throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place. Isaiah 11:10

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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